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  • Writer's pictureSam

Should You Have Hospital Photography After Giving Birth?

Updated: Nov 4, 2023

There are so many logistics to plan for when you’re preparing for your baby to arrive - packing the hospital bag, making arrangements for child care and/or pet care, preparing the nursery and car seat, and so much more. But don’t forget to plan some ways to better enjoy the experience too! One way many families do this is with fresh 48 photography: a special photo session in the hospital within the first two days after you’ve had your baby.


Should you add hospital photography to your birth experience? Weigh these pros and cons.


Pro: Capturing a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience


Welcoming your baby is always a unique experience, whether this is your first baby or you’ve had several children already. You’ll always have memories of these one-of-a-kind experiences, and professional photos give you a way to revisit those beautiful memories as the years go by.

Con: One More Thing to Coordinate (But a Simple One)


As I mentioned, there are so many details to think about and plan for when you’re getting ready to have a baby. As you’re taking care of all the necessities, it can seem exhausting to add one more thing to your plate with hospital photography.


The good news, though, is that fresh 48 photography is easier to manage than you might think. I’ll come to you and take care of all the essentials - there’s no need for you to plan outfits, go to a separate location, or get yourself perfectly camera-ready. Many moms just wear their hospital gown and a robe, giving their hair a simple brushing and maybe applying some light makeup.


Pro: Beautiful Social Media-Worthy Birth Announcement Photos


Who doesn’t love sharing the exciting news about their new baby on social media? While some new moms have their partners take pictures for social media, it can be difficult to get a nice picture with the hospital lighting and with all the activity happening around you. Hospital photography lets you announce your baby with professional portraits so you don’t have to wait for your newborn photo session or struggle to take a picture of your own.


Con: Unpredictability of Birth


Childbirth is unpredictable, and this worries some moms as they’re planning their hospital photography. You don’t know how you’ll be feeling in those first 48 hours, whether you’ll have IVs or medical equipment around you, what your baby’s condition will be, and so on. This is an understandable concern, but rest assured that I’m accustomed to making adjustments for these and other surprises with hospital photography. I’ll gladly be flexible to your needs and comfort level.


Pro: No Pressure to Take Your Own Pictures


This is a big one! Most families want to have pictures from the hospital, but you don’t want to take away from the experience of the birth either. You and your partner should be relishing this unique time, not getting distracted by trying to take pictures. Professional hospital photography will give you those meaningful portraits while you focus on loving your precious new baby.


Want to learn more about fresh 48 photography and whether it’s a fit for you? Contact Samantha Wilson Photography and let’s chat!





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